Wallaroos winger Amelia Whitaker has firmly found her feet in Test Rugby as the talented flyer continues the family legacy.
Whitaker's breakout game came on Saturday, scoring a double in a player-of-the-match performance in a 54-12 win over Scotland.
Watch every second of the Wallaroos Test against Scotland live and on demand via Stan Sport.
In her maiden Test on home soil, the Randwick junior ran 202 metres, with the highlight a 70-metre intercept for her second of the afternoon.
It opened Whitaker's Test account as she comes off a brilliant season for the Waratahs, which saw her wrap up Player of the Year in a championship-winning team.
“I was pretty shocked to get the first one, and I've never really caught an intercept before, so the second one was a complete shock. I just got it by accident and just took it," she told Rugby.com.au post-game.
“The first one I think I smiled before I put the ball down, so lesson for next time, but it's just such an amazing group so I really support them.
“I didn't really think 15s was the opportunity for me, so to be here playing in front of my friends and family, it's just really awesome.”
Whitaker's family is deeply involved in rugby. Her uncle Chris captained the Wallabies, and her dad, Ben, is the GM of Men's High Performance and Competitions at Rugby Australia.
Brother Harry was named to the Australia U18 squad, while her sister Isabel is on the Medical team at RA.
But Amelia's involvement was never guaranteed in the sport, eventually inspired by the Rio Olympics, like so many.
“Growing up I didn't really think rugby was the thing for me," she admitted.
“I got really inspired by the 2016 Olympics, so I thought I'd give it a go and dad being so supportive - obviously he's all for rugby- so it was kind of natural and then I just kept going with it
“I tried all sorts of sports growing up and I just stuck with rugby. I really liked the teamwork aspect of it, and then growing up I really enjoyed the physicality side.”
Fullback Desiree Miller has seen Whitaker rise over the past 12 months and is proud of her journey to Test Rugby.
“Last year it was the first year of 15s and you've seen how far she's come already. It's so great to see her come out of her shell and be more confident and the more time you train and play together, the better she's gotten," Miller said.
“She's really taken this opportunity with both hands and it showed today, not only her first international try, but her second. So super proud of Milly and I can't wait to see what she has to come.
Miller has been an influential mentor for Whitaker, alongside fellow Wallaroo Maya Stewart, helping her transition from Sevens.
"They are such awesome athletes. I looked up to them coming through the ranks, and to play with them all on the same field at the same time is just awesome," she added on her Waratahs teammates.
